Re: what's an obligate carnivore, anyway?

[Taylor Scobie Humphrey]

Thank you!  What a great article!

Taylor Scobie Humphrey
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


On May 4, 2007, at 4:58 PM, TenHouseCats wrote:


http://www.catinfo.org/zorans_article.pdf

okay, supposedly explains why cats eat as and what they do-- 
including whether or not they need/want/should have various classes  
of food..


and remember, just like with us, just cause they like it, doesn't  
mean it's good for them! (nor, i might add on behalf of both  
species, doesn't mean they can't even have any of it, either.)


MC

--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Taylor Scobie Humphrey]

Banging on cat food slabs with a mallet seems like an excellent way  
to let off steam, too!

Taylor Scobie Humphrey
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


On May 4, 2007, at 2:45 PM, MaryChristine wrote:

hee hee hee--i'm sorry, i know this is a serious question, but i  
just have this picture of you with a mallet and a can of catnip- 
flavored PAM spray.




On 5/4/07, Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
   Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to  
make dry

cat food.  I'm not much of a baker so this is not something that would
be in my realm of knowing.  What I was thinking is to make the food  
the
way I always do, then spread it about 1/4 inch thick on a cookie  
sheet,

then bake very slowly on low temp for as long as it takes to get it
hard.  The I was thinking I could take a mallot and break it into bite
size pieces ... does that sound doable???  Now what do I spray on  
it to

make it palatable??  Cody and KC really like their dry and KC will go
all day without eating until I put dry down at bedtime.  I've got to
come up with a dry food he'll eat.

--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com





--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: pet-food recall info

[elizabeth trent]

I'm really having a problem with the FDA.  I don't think they have been fast
enough or honest enough.  They really have not impressed me as being my ally
or my pet's ally.

elizabeth


On 5/4/07, MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


you're right--they will try to find some way to make money from it. that's
why we're in this mess to START with. sigh.


On 5/4/07, Debi Holmes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I find it very hard to believe that they are going to keep this food
> that is making them no money in warehouses!!!  Are they going to keep it
> there to kill the mice and rats??
>
>
>
> *Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:
>
> One not so great thing about my phone call to Pet Food Direct... The
> woman I talked to suggested I donate the food to a shelter or rescue.
> Of course I told her that that wasn't a good idea. I certainly wouldn't
> want some orphan cat or pup eating something that I wouldn't feed my own
>
> kids. I have wondered too where all the recalled food is going,
> (besides the possibility of it being sold as "salvage" food for poultry
> and stockyards). Even if it is dumped, what about the birds and
> wildlife that would find it? When I was watching the committee hearings
> that you and Belinda alerted us to, the question was asked and we were
> told that it was being warehoused. I find little comfort in the
> assurances of big business, but I wish someone had thought to ask "and
> what happens to it when you are ready to clear those warehouses?
> Nina
>
>
>
> MaryChristine wrote:
> > has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food?
>
> > so it doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food
>
> > animals?
> >
> > On 5/4/07, * Nina* > > wrote:
> >
> > Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct. I called them
> > asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased
> > from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code
> > from
> > each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would
> > refund my account. I don't even have to send back the unused
> > portion of
> > my order. Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
> > dealing with are as accommodating. It truly never hurts to ask. I
> > guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
> > Nina
> >
>
>
>
>  --
> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> Check out new cars at Yahoo! 
Autos.
>
>


--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Marylyn]

Try this link.  The way they turn home cooked into kibble should work for 
any home cooked food.  Please notice I said should not would.


http://www.stretcher.com/stories/03/03jan27a.cfm






If you have men who will 
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of 
compassion and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with 
their fellow man.
 St. 
Francis
- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 4:43 PM
Subject: Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food



  Thanks Nina,
  I've scoured the internet and so far only come up the cooked wet food, 
no dry food I can feed on a regular basis.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com

what's an obligate carnivore, anyway?

[TenHouseCats]

http://www.catinfo.org/zorans_article.pdf

okay, supposedly explains why cats eat as and what they do--including
whether or not they need/want/should have various classes of food..

and remember, just like with us, just cause they like it, doesn't mean it's
good for them! (nor, i might add on behalf of both species, doesn't mean
they can't even have any of it, either.)

MC

--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Belinda]

  Thanks Nina,
  I've scoured the internet and so far only come up the cooked wet 
food, no dry food I can feed on a regular basis.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Belinda]

 You know that's probably not far from the truth:)

hee hee hee--i'm sorry, i know this is a serious question, but i just 
have this picture of you with a mallet and a can of catnip-flavored 
PAM spray.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Marylyn]

Try sites on cooking for your dog/cat.  There are books out but I don't 
recall the titlescheck www.Amazon.com.







If you have men who will 
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of 
compassion and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with 
their fellow man.
 St. 
Francis
- Original Message - 
From: "Nina" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 3:10 PM
Subject: Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food


I know I've seen recipes for home made dog biscuits, darn if I remember 
where though.  I think in a mag like Dog Fancy.  I did a search online and 
got frustrated fast.  I saw lots of people asking about cats that only eat 
dry, but only one response so far:


There are some companies that make a dehydrated raw meat kibble. Nature's 
Variety and Majestic Raw both make a kibble. You can find this type of 
food at smaller independent pet stores. Some of them would be happy to 
order it for you if they don't carry it.

I'll keep looking for you.
Nina

Belinda wrote:
  Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to make dry 
cat food.

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Nina]

Okay, here's a website that has recipes for moist and dry cat treats: 
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/1231/0.shtml  I didn't view the 
recipes, just the titles.  You may be able to figure out how to 
incorporate the necessary ingredients, (for balanced nutrition, if it's 
not already in there), from reading some of the recipes.  You're our 
test kitchen Belinda, let us know how you do and whether your efforts 
pass the finicky taste test of your dry food junkies.

Nina

Nina wrote:
I know I've seen recipes for home made dog biscuits, darn if I 
remember where though.  I think in a mag like Dog Fancy.  I did a 
search online and got frustrated fast.  I saw lots of people asking 
about cats that only eat dry, but only one response so far:


There are some companies that make a dehydrated raw meat kibble. 
Nature's Variety and Majestic Raw both make a kibble. You can find 
this type of food at smaller independent pet stores. Some of them 
would be happy to order it for you if they don't carry it.

I'll keep looking for you.
Nina

Belinda wrote:
  Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to make 
dry cat food. 

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Nina]

I know I've seen recipes for home made dog biscuits, darn if I remember 
where though.  I think in a mag like Dog Fancy.  I did a search online 
and got frustrated fast.  I saw lots of people asking about cats that 
only eat dry, but only one response so far:


There are some companies that make a dehydrated raw meat kibble. 
Nature's Variety and Majestic Raw both make a kibble. You can find 
this type of food at smaller independent pet stores. Some of them 
would be happy to order it for you if they don't carry it.

I'll keep looking for you.
Nina

Belinda wrote:
  Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to make 
dry cat food. 

Re: pet-food recall info

[MaryChristine]

you're right--they will try to find some way to make money from it. that's
why we're in this mess to START with. sigh.


On 5/4/07, Debi Holmes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


I find it very hard to believe that they are going to keep this food that
is making them no money in warehouses!!!  Are they going to keep it there to
kill the mice and rats??



*Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:

One not so great thing about my phone call to Pet Food Direct... The
woman I talked to suggested I donate the food to a shelter or rescue.
Of course I told her that that wasn't a good idea. I certainly wouldn't
want some orphan cat or pup eating something that I wouldn't feed my own
kids. I have wondered too where all the recalled food is going,
(besides the possibility of it being sold as "salvage" food for poultry
and stockyards). Even if it is dumped, what about the birds and
wildlife that would find it? When I was watching the committee hearings
that you and Belinda alerted us to, the question was asked and we were
told that it was being warehoused. I find little comfort in the
assurances of big business, but I wish someone had thought to ask "and
what happens to it when you are ready to clear those warehouses?
Nina



MaryChristine wrote:
> has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food?
> so it doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food
> animals?
>
> On 5/4/07, * Nina* > > wrote:
>
> Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct. I called them
> asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased
> from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code
> from
> each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would
> refund my account. I don't even have to send back the unused
> portion of
> my order. Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
> dealing with are as accommodating. It truly never hurts to ask. I
> guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
> Nina
>



--
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check out new cars at Yahoo! 
Autos.





--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: pet-food recall info

[Debi Holmes]

I find it very hard to believe that they are going to keep this food that is 
making them no money in warehouses!!!  Are they going to keep it there to kill 
the mice and rats??
   
  

Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  One not so great thing about my phone call to Pet Food Direct... The 
woman I talked to suggested I donate the food to a shelter or rescue. 
Of course I told her that that wasn't a good idea. I certainly wouldn't 
want some orphan cat or pup eating something that I wouldn't feed my own 
kids. I have wondered too where all the recalled food is going, 
(besides the possibility of it being sold as "salvage" food for poultry 
and stockyards). Even if it is dumped, what about the birds and 
wildlife that would find it? When I was watching the committee hearings 
that you and Belinda alerted us to, the question was asked and we were 
told that it was being warehoused. I find little comfort in the 
assurances of big business, but I wish someone had thought to ask "and 
what happens to it when you are ready to clear those warehouses?
Nina



MaryChristine wrote:
> has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food? 
> so it doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food 
> animals?
>
> On 5/4/07, * Nina* > > wrote:
>
> Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct. I called them
> asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased
> from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code
> from
> each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would
> refund my account. I don't even have to send back the unused
> portion of
> my order. Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
> dealing with are as accommodating. It truly never hurts to ask. I
> guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
> Nina
>




   
-
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
 Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Re: OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[MaryChristine]

hee hee hee--i'm sorry, i know this is a serious question, but i just have
this picture of you with a mallet and a can of catnip-flavored PAM
spray.



On 5/4/07, Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


   Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to make dry
cat food.  I'm not much of a baker so this is not something that would
be in my realm of knowing.  What I was thinking is to make the food the
way I always do, then spread it about 1/4 inch thick on a cookie sheet,
then bake very slowly on low temp for as long as it takes to get it
hard.  The I was thinking I could take a mallot and break it into bite
size pieces ... does that sound doable???  Now what do I spray on it to
make it palatable??  Cody and KC really like their dry and KC will go
all day without eating until I put dry down at bedtime.  I've got to
come up with a dry food he'll eat.

--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com






--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: pet-food recall info

[MaryChristine]

i'm just hoping that it doesn't end up in the hands of certain corporations
that used to be texas-based, tho have now moved overseas--they'd probably
recycle it into the school-lunch program.




On 5/4/07, Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


One not so great thing about my phone call to Pet Food Direct...  The
woman I talked to suggested I donate the food to a shelter or rescue.
Of course I told her that that wasn't a good idea.  I certainly wouldn't
want some orphan cat or pup eating something that I wouldn't feed my own
kids.  I have wondered too where all the recalled food is going,
(besides the possibility of it being sold as "salvage" food for poultry
and stockyards).  Even if it is dumped, what about the birds and
wildlife that would find it?  When I was watching the committee hearings
that you and Belinda alerted us to, the question was asked and we were
told that it was being warehoused.  I find little comfort in the
assurances of big business, but I wish someone had thought to ask "and
what happens to it when you are ready to clear those warehouses?
Nina



MaryChristine wrote:
> has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food?
> so it doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food
> animals?
>
> On 5/4/07, * Nina* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > wrote:
>
> Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct.  I called them
> asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I
purchased
> from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code
> from
> each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they
would
> refund my account.  I don't even have to send back the unused
> portion of
> my order.  Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
> dealing with are as accommodating.  It truly never hurts to ask.  I
> guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
> Nina
>






--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

Re: pet-food recall info

[Nina]

One not so great thing about my phone call to Pet Food Direct...  The 
woman I talked to suggested I donate the food to a shelter or rescue.  
Of course I told her that that wasn't a good idea.  I certainly wouldn't 
want some orphan cat or pup eating something that I wouldn't feed my own 
kids.  I have wondered too where all the recalled food is going, 
(besides the possibility of it being sold as "salvage" food for poultry 
and stockyards).  Even if it is dumped, what about the birds and 
wildlife that would find it?  When I was watching the committee hearings 
that you and Belinda alerted us to, the question was asked and we were 
told that it was being warehoused.  I find little comfort in the 
assurances of big business, but I wish someone had thought to ask "and 
what happens to it when you are ready to clear those warehouses?

Nina



MaryChristine wrote:
has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food? 
so it doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food 
animals?


On 5/4/07, * Nina* <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> wrote:


Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct.  I called them
asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased
from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code
from
each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would
refund my account.  I don't even have to send back the unused
portion of
my order.  Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
dealing with are as accommodating.  It truly never hurts to ask.  I
guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
Nina

Re: pet-food recall info

[MaryChristine]

has anyone heard anything about a SAFE way to dispose of the bad food? so it
doesn't end up being fed to, say, cattle and pigs and other food animals?

On 5/4/07, Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct.  I called them
asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased
from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code from
each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would
refund my account.  I don't even have to send back the unused portion of
my order.  Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are
dealing with are as accommodating.  It truly never hurts to ask.  I
guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.
Nina

Nina wrote:
> Thanks MC.  It would be much easier if a list was compiled with brands
> and foods that have been verified by testing to be safe.  I have 3
> cases of Triumph wet food, (not the particular flavors on the list),
> that I'm now afraid to feed.  I'd eat them myself over crackers, but
> I'm not sure how much I'd like beef and salmon combined together,
> (maybe a little mayonnaise).  Pretty soon some adventurer will start
> selling home-testing kits we can use before we set the food bowls down.
> Nina






--

Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892

OT: Need Ideas For Making dry food

[Belinda]

  Ok, all you cooks out there, I need some ideas on how to make dry 
cat food.  I'm not much of a baker so this is not something that would 
be in my realm of knowing.  What I was thinking is to make the food the 
way I always do, then spread it about 1/4 inch thick on a cookie sheet, 
then bake very slowly on low temp for as long as it takes to get it 
hard.  The I was thinking I could take a mallot and break it into bite 
size pieces ... does that sound doable???  Now what do I spray on it to 
make it palatable??  Cody and KC really like their dry and KC will go 
all day without eating until I put dry down at bedtime.  I've got to 
come up with a dry food he'll eat.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com

Re: pet-food recall info

[Nina]

Wow, I'm shocked at the service at Pet Food Direct.  I called them 
asking about returning the unused portion of Triumph food I purchased 
from them and they told me to write to them including the UPS code from 
each of the varieties I feel uncomfortable about using and they would 
refund my account.  I don't even have to send back the unused portion of 
my order.  Thought I'd let you know in case the companies you are 
dealing with are as accommodating.  It truly never hurts to ask.  I 
guess I won't be choking down cat food and crackers after all.

Nina

Nina wrote:
Thanks MC.  It would be much easier if a list was compiled with brands 
and foods that have been verified by testing to be safe.  I have 3 
cases of Triumph wet food, (not the particular flavors on the list), 
that I'm now afraid to feed.  I'd eat them myself over crackers, but 
I'm not sure how much I'd like beef and salmon combined together, 
(maybe a little mayonnaise).  Pretty soon some adventurer will start 
selling home-testing kits we can use before we set the food bowls down.

Nina

OT: More Homemade Recipes

[Belinda]

   This is another pretty good recipe I got on one of my lists today.  
There are a few ingredients I question (wheat bran, oatmeal) but for the 
most part it looks pretty good.


http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/home-cookin.htm

--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com

Re: Update on mva kitties - Sammi is alive and has been spotted

[Nina]

Here's another brief update...  Sammi was spotted again this morning 
(Fri) by someone that works near the crash site, (bless those folks for 
continuing to keep an eye out for her).  At least we know she is 
remaining in the general area and that she is still alive.  They 
described her as a small gray cat running out of the yard, so it sounds 
like she's still in decent health.  Rescue efforts are ongoing, keep 
those good thoughts coming this family's way.

Nina

Nina wrote:
For all of you that are sending positive thoughts and prayers, here's 
the latest.  Very good news and some bad news...  Sammi is alive and 
has been spotted, but she bolted when approached.  Pray that she 
returns to the general area that the other two kitties were retrieved 
from and that she finds the food stations/traps that are being set up 
for her.

Nina

Re: Some Good News (for a change)!

[catatonya]

Congratulations on your new babies!  
   
  tonya

Marissa Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't written in a while and I've been a bit slow 
to update you all...life has been pretty crazy lately!  WARNING:  this is 
LOOONG!  Sorry!  lol
   
  As I think I mentioned when Slinky went to the bridge, I promised him I would 
get another baby to take care of me.  The first one he sent me came home about 
3 weeks ago.  About 5 minutes before I left to pick him up, when I was feeling 
a bit sad about Slink, he sent me a DOUBLE rainbow from the bridge!!!  It was 
quite spectacular!  And now I haveTWO new furbabies in my family!  The 
second one arrived this past weekend.
   
  About 3 weeks ago I adopted a beautiful tabby boy who has CH (cerebellar 
hypoplasia).  He's a classic silver/gray tabby and a very sweet little boy!  
He's 6 months old and lived in a shelter (first in PA, then in DC) his whole 
life until I got him.  His CH appears to be fairly mild as CH goes - he walks 
fairly stiff-legged and kind of "swaggers" when he walks.  He falls down if he 
gets really excited, and it often takes him a bit longer to climb onto things.  
He has a tougher time getting down, but he's learned to fly through the air and 
execute a pretty good roll landing!  He almost never lands on his feet.  He 
also has Herpes, so I'm giving him lots of Lysine and washing his eyes with a 
goldenseal and ecchinacea wash.
   
  Because my bed is fairly high off the ground and has wood side boards on the 
sides, I knew he'd have a really tough time getting up there, so I built him a 
ramp complete with side rails and a cork runner for traction.  :)  He's become 
a master at using it both to get up AND down from the bed!  I also got some 
small pet stairs for getting onto the couch and he learned to use those just in 
the last few days.
   
  His name is Mouse - his idea, not mine!  Since he's gray (ok, MC, 
blue/silver) and squeaks when he meows, it seems the perfect name, and he 
responds to that and nothing else, so  He's got a motor that never quits 
and he loves to cuddle.  One of my favorite nick names for him, though, is 
"Hoover" because he inhales his food the second I put it down!  I'm feeding him 
Nature's Variety raw supplemented with Evo dry...and he seems to love it all!  
   
  This past weekend I added another baby to the family.  Her name (at least for 
now) is Georgia - but we'll see if she decides she wants to change it.  She was 
feral for the first 8 months of her life and then 2 months ago was brought in 
for TNR, but they decided she was too sweet to put back.  She was fostered by a 
wonderful woman and her 2 cats, but the woman was not able to give her a 
forever home and needed to place her by May 1.  She's gray tabby and white, 
with an adorable little white spot on the very tip of her tail!
   
  Georgia's foster and a woman I met through MC drove about an hour from VA to 
my house with her and brought all kinds of supplies, etc. with them!  Her first 
hour or so was quite adventurous.  When I let her out of the carrier, we let 
her explore the living room, etc. and left her alone for a few minutes while we 
went in my bedroom to see Mouse.
   
  When we came back she had gone under the couch (which is really a twin 
bed)...no big surprise.  BUT she crawled up INSIDE the box spring...and got 
STUCK!!!  We almost had to cut one of the wires to get her out, but she finally 
came out on her own.  Was quite the stressful day for all of us!! lol  So...we 
got her into the guest room where she's been ever since.
   
  Send thoughts and prayers her way, though, as she hasn't been eating much, if 
at all!  I've tried every food known to man (and feline) and have had little 
luck.  She did eat a LITTLE of her canned food (9 lives - from the foster) and 
her dry (purina - from the foster), and tonight I got some a/d down her.  But 
it's been a major challenge...and I'm pretty worried about her!
   
  Mouse hasn't quite decided what he thinks of this new addition (nor has she 
decided what she thinks about him).  But I'm sure that over time they'll come 
to love each other.  They both chrip and meow a lot, so I think they're a good 
pair.  Georgia loves to sit on my chest, purr, and give kisses and love.  She's 
a VEEERY sweet girl!!!
   
  If you haven't been to Slinky's myspace in a while, check it out - it's been 
updated with pics of the rainbow he sent and several poems I wrote for him in 
the blogs.  www.myspace.com/slinkecat  You can also check out Mouse's myspace: 
www.myspace.com/motormouse1.  I haven't done one for Georgia yet (waiting on a 
CD of pictures from her foster mom), but she does have a catster page:  
http://www.catster.com/cats/531393  Mouse's catster is: 
http://www.catster.com/cats/526580  Slinky's (in loving memory) is: 
http://www.catster.com/cats/526570.  Be sure to read his diary!  And the one 
for the little blind baby I applied for (but he went to the